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The GravelKing X1 TLR is a new tyre in Panaracer’s gravel range, which was completely overhauled in 2024 to celebrate the GravelKing’s tenth anniversary.
Gravel has evolved dramatically since the GravelKing’s inception. The new X1 is claimed to be the fastest GravelKing yet, benefitting from Panaracer’s new bead profile and casing.
I’ve been impressed by the GravelKing X1 tyre in testing and have found it to be very fast-rolling with good puncture resistance. It loses points though on outright cornering grip when really pushing hard, and a challenging initial installation.
Panaracer GravelKing X1 TLR tyre details and specifications
The GravelKing X1 is one of five tyre platforms in Panaracer’s gravel range, sitting alongside the GravelKing Slick, SS, SK and the mud-oriented EXT, with each tread available in different casings (more on that shortly).
The tread design of the GravelKing X1 is all-new and claimed to be the fastest GravelKing ever made – even faster than the GravelKing Slick. Panaracer says gravel riders are needing something more aggressive and “stickier in the edge”, with modern courses featuring quick turns and more off-camber terrain.
The aggressive tread pattern looks akin to the Optimus Prime Autobot logo, with the side knobs positioned higher than the centre tread for improved cornering. Panaracer claims the pattern is designed to both roll fast and clear mud quickly in wet conditions.
The tyres continue to be made in Japan and are made from Panaracer’s proprietary ZSG (Zero Slip Grip) compound. This compound is also found on Panaracer’s top-tier road bike tyres, such as the Panaracer Agilest TLR, but with the recipe tweaked for gravel riding.
The brand claims the material has “remarkable resistance to temperature and weather fluctuations” for consistent performance.
The redesigned BeadLock bead is designed to fit on a broader range of rims, for both hookless and hooked. Panaracer also says it makes for easy tubeless installation, claiming the tyres will seat with just a track pump.
A 120TPI (threads-per-inch) TuffTex layer is added underneath the tread, in addition to a supple, high thread count casing with bead-to-bead puncture protection. The compound is claimed to have increased resilience against temperature variations to make it feel consistent through hot summer days and sub-zero winter rides.
I had the standard GravelKing X1 TLR in for test, but it’s also offered in two different casing options.
The GravelKing X1 R-Line TLR is the lightest and most supple option with a TuffTex-R casing, while the GravelKing X1+ TLR has a tougher TuffTex+ casing for improved puncture protection.
You can pick between 35, 40, 45 and 50mm widths for 700c wheels, and there’s also a 650b x 48mm option.
The black 45mm-wide tyre on test weighed 555g, 5g less than claimed. That’s lighter than a Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RC, which is claimed to weigh 590g in a 45mm but heavier than a Continental Terra Speed which the brand says will weigh 490g.
I also briefly tested a set of 50mm tyres, which I weighed 646g apiece.
Panaracer GravelKing X1 TLR tyre installation
Previous iterations of the GravelKing left me exploring the depths of my creative language when setting them up tubeless in my workshop days, with their hit-and-miss seating.
I set the tyres up tubeless on a set of DT Swiss GRC 1400 Dicut 30 wheels with Muc Off sealant.
I found I had to really wrestle the tyres onto the DT Swiss rims. While the rear tyre set up tubeless with a track pump on the first attempt, the front required the use of a tubeless pump.
The rims have a 24mm internal width and the tyre measured 47.39mm at 26psi (1.79 BAR).
Fortunately, I found the tyres much easier to install when I moved them to a set of 3T Discus 45 | 32 LTD wheels, which have a 25mm internal rim width. They still needed a tyre lever, but both tyres seated on the first attempt with a track pump, measuring 47.26mm, again at 26psi (1.79 BAR).
I had a near-identical experience when setting the 50mm tyres up box-fresh on the same DT Swiss rims – they were a very tight fit again. I came close to using a tubeless pump to get them to seat on the front wheel but fortunately, after some careful manipulation of the tyre into the well of the rim while pumping, the tyre seated. These tyres measured 49.37mm at 23psi (1.58 BAR).
Panaracer GravelKing X1 TLR tyre performance
My testing of the 45mm tyres took place at the end of summer through to the early winter on the trails around Bristol and the Chilterns in the UK.
The tyres were also put to the test on the Woods Rat Run, a 256km bikepacking route through the New Forest, Purbecks and Cranborne Chase in dismal conditions.
After some initial experimentation, I settled on running 24psi on the front and 26psi out back for my 74kg weight.
The sheer speed of the GravelKing X1 was immediately apparent – the tyres chomp through all off-road terrain with vigour and they roll fast (for a gravel tyre) on the road too. They were particularly at home on dry ‘Champagne’ gravel in the New Forest.
The GravelKing X1 felt noticeably faster than the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RC but on a par with Continental’s Terra Speed.
Independent testing from BicycleRollingResistance.com found that a 40mm GravelKing X1 generates 24.8w of rolling resistance at 25psi, with an equivalent Cinturato Gravel RC measuring in at 27.5w. The Terra Speed outperforms them both at 22.4w.
It’s important to note that these tests were carried out in a laboratory and not in the real world, which may be why I thought the GravelKing X1 and Terra Speed’s were similarly matched.
Although they’re not a mud-specific tyre, the GravelKing X1’s weren’t overwhelmed at the first sight of the UK’s finest gloop, with the exception of the thick clay-based Chilterns.
On my bikepacking trip and the saturated trails around Bristol, the tread pattern cleared mud adeptly, just as Panaracer claims it to.
Cornering grip is excellent on the road but I was able to find the tyre’s limits on loose off-road sections when really pushing hard. The most notable moment was on my bikepacking trip where I transitioned from a paved surface to a 90-degree corner on loose gravel on a descent, when the tyre didn’t quite bite how I’d want it to.
I haven’t experienced any punctures during the 1,300km testing period and the wear is admirable on both tyres – it's on a par with Pirelli’s Cinturato Gravel RC and significantly better than the Continental Terra Speed where their tread height had noticeably reduced after 600km.
There’s no sugarcoating that the GravelKing X1 is a high-end tyre at £54.99 / $64.99 / €59.99 / AU$110 but its value is competitive.
It undercuts the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RC at £60.99 / $84.90 / €69.90 / AU$120.90 but is trumped by Vittoria’s Terreno Dry at £45 / $60 / €51 / AU$72. However, I’d rate the GravelKing X1 over the Terreno Dry in terms of overall performance.
Panaracer GravelKing X1 TLR tyre bottom line
Panaracer’s GravelKing X1 tyre impresses with its balance of speed, suppleness and durability and there’s a wide range of size options, too.
It’s undoubtedly best for dryer terrain but the performance is far from comical if you come across the odd mud patch.
In my view, the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RC pips the GravelKing X1 with even greater versatility, despite its heavier weight and slightly slower ride. But the GravelKing X1 is still one of the best gravel tyres you can buy.
